Perovskia 'Blue Spire'
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Thanks Cathy, very useful. Lou
Posted: Tuesday 4th of October 2011 06:49 PM
Re: do i have to take cuttings
Kathy N
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Hi, Lou,
It really depends on where you live as to what you do with it. Perovskia will behave like a perennial in areas with cold winters, a shrub or subshrub in areas with mild winters. I have grown it in both types of climates. No matter where I grow it, I always deadhead the spent flower spikes - you will usually get a second bloom if you do. Expert recommendation if you live in a mild area is to prune in spring (see care instructions here on Shoot). I have pruned in autumn in mild areas if it looked really tatty. In cold areas, you can leave it for winter interest and leaving the stems can sometimes help protect roots from cold (i.e. frost/cold doesn't travel down cut stalks and damage the roots). Whenever you cut, you can cut low (ie. 5-10cm from the ground) but always cut to an outward-facing bud.
Kathy C
It really depends on where you live as to what you do with it. Perovskia will behave like a perennial in areas with cold winters, a shrub or subshrub in areas with mild winters. I have grown it in both types of climates. No matter where I grow it, I always deadhead the spent flower spikes - you will usually get a second bloom if you do. Expert recommendation if you live in a mild area is to prune in spring (see care instructions here on Shoot). I have pruned in autumn in mild areas if it looked really tatty. In cold areas, you can leave it for winter interest and leaving the stems can sometimes help protect roots from cold (i.e. frost/cold doesn't travel down cut stalks and damage the roots). Whenever you cut, you can cut low (ie. 5-10cm from the ground) but always cut to an outward-facing bud.
Kathy C
Posted: Monday 3rd of October 2011 06:52 PM
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New garden so planted when about 18 ins high. looking scraggly now at about 2.5 ft. should i take cuttings or just cut back please? If latter, to what height?
Posted: Monday 3rd of October 2011 04:07 PM Last reply: Friday 28th of February 2025 09:46 PM